Glory Is Never Kept to Myself, A Spree of Appointments

Uchiha Kyu flung back his robes and laughed, then sat decisively on the Hokage's throne.

Enthusiastic cheers erupted from the front rows below. One bandaged Uchiha clansman after another, along with Hyuga ninja, waved flags and shouted for Uchiha Kyu.

Becoming Hokage had been the Uchiha Clan's long-cherished wish for many years, and it had finally come true.

The older generation of the Uchiha Clan knew how hard-won this was, and they wept with joy.

To the younger generation, Uchiha Kyu was the invincible god of war in their hearts.

The Hyuga ninja were simply happy because once Uchiha Kyu became Hokage, the Hyuga Clan would undoubtedly rise along with their relationship with him.

The ninja from the other clans in the back wore forced smiles, though inwardly, they were suffering more than anyone.

But there was no helping it. They were the losers, captives who had surrendered at the Uchiha Clan's feet.

Choji Akimichi, Inoichi Yamanaka, and the others had also forced themselves to attend this Hokage succession ceremony despite their injuries.

The jubilant scene ahead of them and their current feelings were like two entirely different worlds.

A young couple stood below the stage. Tears streamed uncontrollably from the woman's eyes. "Minato, it was all my fault that you lost the Hokage position."

Minato Namikaze gently wiped away her tears.

"Kushina, what foolish thing are you saying? I lost to him. Whether you were there or not, I would have lost last night."

Kushina glared angrily at the man onstage. "But... that was your dream ever since you were little."

"And now you're just giving it to that guy."

Minato Namikaze rubbed Kushina's fiery red hair, his smile bright and gentle.

"I was simply inferior to him. Perhaps he is more qualified than I am to become Hokage."

"I wanted to become Hokage so I could protect the village, not become Hokage merely for the position itself."

"Minato."

Kushina Uzumaki's eyes shimmered with moved tears.

Minato Namikaze looked at the high-spirited, arrogant Uchiha Kyu onstage, hoping that the village would become better in his hands.

Uchiha Kyu looked at the clansmen and Hyuga ninja below, then spoke loudly with soaring ambition.

"Everyone, I once promised that if we won, I would never keep this glory to myself."

With his back to the crowd, Uchiha Kyu pointed behind him at the words "Fifth Hokage" on his Hokage robe.

"This glory belongs to all of you."

"Without you, I would not be standing here."

Uchiha Kyu slowly turned around to face the crowd and swept out a hand.

"Next, I will reward each of you according to your merits and bestow this glory upon every one of you."

Uchiha Okamoto, his arm wrapped in gauze, excitedly raised his fist and shouted.

"We swear to serve Lord Hokage unto death!"

"We swear to serve Lord Hokage unto death!"

The others immediately erupted in cheers, following Uchiha Okamoto's lead as they shouted and reveled in this honor.

Even the usually composed Hizashi Hyuga was stirred by Uchiha Kyu's magnanimity, raising his fist and shouting along with the crowd.

Hyuga Hiashi had finally witnessed Uchiha Kyu's inspiring words firsthand.

Standing in the distance, Orochimaru said to Tsunade beside him, "Kyu is one of the most interesting people I have ever encountered."

Tsunade refused to admit that she had been moved by Uchiha Kyu's words, putting on a disdainful expression instead.

"That may be true for you. In my heart, he has always been the murderer who killed my teacher."

Orochimaru smiled teasingly. "But it was Minato Namikaze's ninjutsu that killed your teacher, wasn't it?"

Tsunade snorted and did not wish to argue about the matter any further.

Holding a list, Uchiha Kyu spoke into the microphone. "Orochimaru."

Tsunade was stunned, staring at Orochimaru with a strange look in her eyes.

"I never expected you to be called first. What a surprise."

"I'm surprised too."

Orochimaru shrugged and calmly walked toward the stage.

As the crowd followed Uchiha Kyu's gaze and turned around, they instinctively made way for him.

After Orochimaru stepped onto the stage, he stood quietly before Uchiha Kyu.

Uchiha Kyu directly pulled Orochimaru to his side.

"Starting today, the village will establish a new Scientific Research Department, with Orochimaru serving as its director."

"At the same time, the director of the Scientific Research Department will have the authority to mobilize the Anbu and require the cooperation of every other department."

"The Scientific Research Department's resource priority will be raised to the highest level."

Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Kyu with shock in his eyes.

A newly established department, with the authority to mobilize the Anbu.

You really dared to delegate such power.

But.

He liked this position. From now on, he could openly do what he wanted to do.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage."

Orochimaru dropped to one knee and sincerely thanked Uchiha Kyu for this great gift.

With that kneel, he had knelt into a bright future.

"This guy actually..."

Tsunade's pupils contracted. She had never expected even Orochimaru to willingly kneel at Uchiha Kyu's feet.

Hyuga Hiashi knew what Orochimaru did, but he had not expected Uchiha Kyu to possess such boldness.

"He is placing the Scientific Research Department in the open like this. Is that really a good idea?"

Hyuga Hiashi harbored doubts.

Uchiha Kyu personally helped Orochimaru to his feet.

"Rise. I have never treated my own people poorly. Follow me, and you will get what you want."

For a while, Orochimaru could not calm his emotions.

This was a department with real authority that even Hiruzen Sarutobi had never given him.

"Hyuga Hiashi."

Uchiha Kyu continued to share this glory of his.

With Orochimaru's example before him, Hyuga Hiashi walked onto the stage with excitement and respectfully lowered his head. "Lord Hokage."

Uchiha Kyu nodded at him and spoke loudly.

"You will retain your position as Hokage advisor, disband the Root Organization under your command, concurrently serve as Director of the Medical Department, and be specially granted the authority to mobilize the Anbu."

Although his armed force had been stripped away, Hyuga Hiashi felt that gaining the additional position of Director of the Medical Department still made this a worthwhile trade.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage."

Next, Uchiha Kyu appointed Fugaku Uchiha as captain of the Konoha Military Police Force.

As for the remaining contributors, Uchiha Kyu assigned them all mid-level positions within the village.

The vacant posts were filled anew, until every position was occupied.

These meritorious clansmen and Hyuga clansmen were all satisfied.

The smiles Inoichi Yamanaka and the others maintained were nearly frozen in place.

There was nothing for them. On the contrary, the positions being handed out had once all been theirs.

It was like being stabbed in the heart right in front of everyone.

It hurt.

It hurt too much.

"Minato Namikaze."

After Uchiha Kyu spoke this name, everyone present turned toward Minato Namikaze in unison.

What was going on? Did this involve Minato Namikaze too?

Could Minato Namikaze's attack on Uchiha Kyu have been fake, with the real target being the Third Hokage?

The ones most suspicious of this were not clan heads like Inoichi Yamanaka, but Tsunade, who had once trusted Minato Namikaze the most.

Even Fugaku Uchiha, Hyuga Hiashi, and Orochimaru were taken aback.

Uchiha Kyu had not discussed the appointment document in his hand with anyone.

If he became Hokage without acting like a dictator, wouldn't becoming Hokage have been for nothing?

Under Kushina Uzumaki's worried gaze, Minato Namikaze walked toward the stage step by step.

Uchiha Kyu began using Konoha to manipulate Minato Namikaze.

"The war at the front lines continues without end. In these turbulent times, the village is in need of capable people, and I have always been unconcerned with trivialities when employing talent."

"I appoint you Director of the Anbu. Do not disappoint Konoha's trust in you. The burden is a little heavy, but everyone believes you can handle it."

"All of this is for Konoha."

Minato Namikaze, who was most susceptible to such words, agreed without any hesitation.

"Thank you for your trust, Lord Hokage."

After appointing Minato Namikaze, Uchiha Kyu arrived at the Hokage Office and took the seat of Konoha's highest authority.

When Uchiha Kyu turned his head, he could see Hokage Rock in the distance outside the window. Those four heads were truly an eyesore.

"From now on, the village should stop doing such empty ceremonial nonsense. Tear down the faces on Hokage Rock."

Uchiha Okamoto's eyes shifted. Clever as he was, he seemed to understand and immediately volunteered.

"I'll take care of it at once."